ADAC Rally Deutschland

Rallye Deutschland has the honor of being the first world championship event of the 2011 season to take place on asphalt, although it’s an asphalt rally like no other with the two days of the event held on different types of sealed surface.

Based in the historic city of Trier in Germany’s wine-producing Mosel region, the need to maintain an extremely high level of concentration is the secret if you want to succeed, particularly in the Baumholder military training area, where giant boulders, known as hinkelsteins, line the route.

There are some very fast sections, some extremely difficult passages, narrow and then wide asphalt roads and the surfaces are so varied. The stages in the Mosel vineyards require 100 per cent concentration and the satisfaction afterwards is immense because the roads are so narrow.

Event Updates

WRC Radio Interview SS14

WINNER Allright

Craig showed his class on the final stage to take victory. Craig had a 9.6s lead and even under pressure he set the fastest time in the Academy to take his first win of the year by 15.1s.

Both Craig and co driver, Gareth Roberts were ecstatic at the end of the stage.

Full event report to follow

Craig matches Yeray on SS13

Craig and Yeray were neck and neck all the way through SS13. At the finish Yeray took 1.3s from Craig and gap now is 9.6s

This sets up a final stage showdown on Arena Panzerplatte 2. 34km between Craig and his first WRC Academy win

Lead back up 10.9 sec

Craig has pulled out his lead to 10.9 seconds on SS12. He bettered his first run time on the test by just over 5s.

Two stages remain

SS11 tension Mounts

On stage 11, the rerun of Hermeskeil/Gusenburg and Lemes cuts Craig's lead to 6.2 sec

Craig stated after coming off the stage that his brakes were sticking.

4 Stages to Go!

Criag leads after Panzerplatte

With the morning loop completed Craig holds a 12.1s lead. Arena Panzerplatte 1 was the final stage of the loop and over 34 km's long is the toughest stage of the event. Lemes was fastest setting 22:35.2 but Craig was right up there, taking second fastest, just 5.8 away.

Craig is currently in service and was really chuffed with his mornings work. 4 more stage to go

Breen Tops again On SS9

Craig backed up his fastest time on SS8 by winning stage 9 and pulled out another 1.7sec on Lemes who was second fastest. Lead now is +17.9

The daunting 34.18km's of Arena Panzerplatte 1 is next

Lemes off on SS8

Pressure is mounting in the mosel region this morning in the WRC Academy.

Overnight leader Yeray Lemes had an accident on stage 8 causing a loss of 55.s. Lemes had extended his lead over Craig to 39s on the mornings opening stage but Craig battled back on SS8 and reports in from Germany state that the Irish driver was up on the early splits when Yeray made the mistake.

Craig now leads by 16.2 seconds but there's six stages remaining

Big News On SS8

There has been a big shake up stage 8 Bosenberg 1. Craig has taken the fastest stage time and Yeray Lemes has had some type of a problem and has dropped 55.9s. This puts Craig into the lead for the first time in the rally.

Craig happy after day One

After the opening day in Germany, Graig lies in second place overall of the WRC Academy. He is 32.4 sec down on Spanish driver Yeray Lemes.

After returning to service after the final stage of the day Craig said,"I'm happy to be in second overall, I'm 32.4 off Yeray but it could have been closer. I was on a really good time on the last stage, we hit something after sliding on a junction near the end of the stage. I'm still happy with my days work which included one fastest stage time. Tomorrow will be another tough day with 8 stages"

2nd Overall after Day 1

Craig set the early pace but it was Yeray Lemes who recorded the fastest time in the end on the last stage of the day. The Spanish driver now holds an advantage of 32.4 sec on Craig overnight.

Alastair Fisher looks to have had a problem and lost nearly 3 minutes, it's not clear why or how he lost the time. He has now dropped to 11th overall, +3:26.2 on the leader.

We will get comments from Craig when he returns to service and a rap up of Day One

In service Craig was happy with the opening two stages. Craig said, "The first stage was dry but it rained during stage two,I took a cautious approach over the wet surface and the cuts."

More news and times from the second loop as they comes in

Adjusted times for SS1/SS2

There was a delay with times being registered for stages 1 and 2. Now however the problem has been resolved and it's Y Lemes who holds a lead of 22.7 sec over Alastair Fisher with Craig in third 28.3 down

Academy Times SS1

Academy tmes for SS.1, at this point Craig has the fastest time (16:00.8).

SS 1 Live

The WRC Crews have completed the opening stage. Comments coming from the end of the stage state it was dry but there are some ominous clouds around and the rain is not far away.

First of the Academy field is championship leader Egon Kaur, seeded 108, Craig comes next at 109 with Brendan Reeves in third. We will also need to keep an eye on the times of Alastair Fisher and the remainder of the Academy field as the opening stages unfold.

Start List/Stage Times

Click the appropriate link for the Day One Start List and the Live link to the Stage Times

Shakedown finished

Craig has finished his shakedown and comments his delighted with the setup of his car. He also says this is the big one and he will be going for the win from the start.
The rally gets underway with a ceremonial start at Porta Nigra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in the centre of Trier later this evening.

Busy week continues

After travelling to Germany last weekend it's been a busy week already and the rally only starts tomorrow. Craig carried out his recce over Tuesday and Wednesday.

There was a WRC Academy Media Masterclass then yesterday afternoon with World Rally Radio host Becs Williams and McKlein Photographer Colin McMaster.

Craig is testing this morning and will be finalising his setup for tomorrow mornings first stage.

Craig Seeded 20th for Zlin

I know that Rallye Deutschland is Craig's priority this week but just some news on Barum Czech Rally Zlín which starts on Friday week.

The entry list and event maps have just been released and Craig is seeded in 20th position.